Comparative Analysis of Phenolic and Flavonoid Content, Antioxidant, Antibacterial Activities, and Functional Groups of Chemicals from Hypericum perforatum L., and Papaver Rhoeas L. Flower Extracts

In this study, we aimed to compare the phytochemical compounds (polyphenols and flavonoids), antioxidant activity, functional groups present in the compounds (FTIR), and anti-microbial effects, in aqueous and methanol extracts obtained from flowers of commercial Hypericum perforatum and native Papaver Rhoeas from Morocco. P. Rhoeas L was collected from El Lhaj Kaddour near Meknes, while H. perforatum L was bought in a dried state from a Moroccan herbalist in the same city. Total polyphenols were evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, respectively. The antioxidant activity was assessed via DPPH and anti-microbial effects were tested against six bacteria (Gram- and Gram+). In aqueous and methanol extracts of P. Rhoeas had the highest TPC value (23.67 ± 0.94 mg GAE/g; 15.86 ± 0.65 mg GAE/g) compared to H. perforatum (15.26 ± 1.30 mg GAE/g; 5.50 ± 1.13 GAE/g). The aqueous extract of Papaver Rhoeas exhibited the highest TFC at 14.36 ± 0.49 mg QE/g, while the methanol extract of Hypericum perforatum had the highest 10.65 ± 0.49 mg QE/g in TFC. In contrast, methanol and aqueous extracts of H. perforatum showed significant zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (9.5 ± 0.5 mm and 10.17 ± 0.29 mm) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (8.33 ± 0.58 mm and 9.33 ± 0.58 mm) respectively, with a minimum inhibitory concentration was estimated at 10 µL/ml. The FTIR analysis demonstrated that the extracts of both plants are rich in bioactive molecules with potential biological activities and a pharmaceutical industry perspective. Consequently, these Papaver Rhoeas and Hypericum perforatum extracts exhibit antioxidant and antibacterial activities.